Partnership with Bangladesh can deepen as strategic alignment: Saudi Minister

Saudi Minister of Human Resources and Social Development Eng Ahmed bin Sulaiman Al‑Rajhi has said the Kingdom's partnership with Bangladesh can now deepen — not as a transactional exchange but as a "strategic alignment" in education, mobility and prosperity.

"Under Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, new sectors are opening, demand is diversifying, and opportunities abound," he said.

In an article titled A New Chapter in Saudi–Bangladesh Labour Cooperation, the Saudi minister said Bangladesh, for its part, has pledged to ensure that all workers are medically fit, properly trained, and briefed on Saudi laws, customs and workplace standards before departure.

"Together, these steps ensure that migration is safe, well‑prepared and mutually beneficial," Al‑Rajhi said.

In recent years, Saudi Arabia has modernised recruitment, employment and mobility mechanisms. Digital systems now document contracts before travel, reducing ambiguity and risk. The Wage Protection System ensures salaries are disbursed electronically, in full and on time. Dispute‑resolution channels have been strengthened with digital access, while occupational safety and health protocols have been reinforced through clearer rules, more frequent inspections and seasonal protections for outdoor workers.

"Let us work together so that every qualified Bangladeshi professional who comes to Saudi Arabia does so with clarity and confidence — and so that both nations share in the gains of growth, security and mutual respect," Al‑Rajhi said.

When two nations commit to partnership, he added, they build something more enduring than contracts — they build trust, dignity and common purpose.

"With our newly signed bilateral labour agreement, we are ushering in a fresh chapter in labour mobility — one that places safety, fairness and shared prosperity at its heart," the minister said.

Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia already share a deep and meaningful bond, with generations of Bangladeshi workers contributing to the Kingdom's development while supporting families both in Saudi Arabia and back home.

"That legacy is one of shared endeavour. But as times change, so too must the frameworks through which we engage," Al‑Rajhi said.

The new agreement establishes a modern framework for cooperation — one built on ethical recruitment, stronger worker protections and clear mechanisms to ensure rights and responsibilities are upheld by all parties.

"At its core, it commits both countries to ensuring recruitment is transparent, fair and traceable. Every worker must receive a documented offer and contract before departure, issued through authorised digital channels, ensuring ethical recruitment and protecting dignity," he said.

The agreement explicitly prohibits any recruitment agency or employer from charging workers unauthorised fees or deducting costs from their salaries — a critical safeguard to protect workers and ensure accountability on both sides.

The same protections apply to domestic workers, who will benefit from defined roles, fair terms and job‑readiness preparation before departure.

"Equally important, it strengthens welfare and access to justice. Both governments have agreed to promote safe working and living conditions, provide 24‑hour assistance, and enable efficient resolution of disputes," Al‑Rajhi said.

The agreement also guarantees that every worker's salary will be paid directly into a bank account in their name, reinforcing the commitment to wage protection and financial transparency.

"To the government of Bangladesh, to training institutions, to recruitment agencies, to Saudi employers, and to workers themselves — this agreement offers a platform for deeper alignment," the minister said, noting that it is an invitation for curricula to match real demand, for institutions to certify to global benchmarks, and for workers to take pride in credentials that are meaningful across borders.

To ensure accountability and progress, a Joint Technical Committee will meet regularly to monitor implementation, review challenges and recommend improvements. This mechanism, Al‑Rajhi said, ensures cooperation remains active and adaptive as both economies continue to evolve.

"As we implement this agreement, we are not merely filling jobs — we are constructing a skills‑first labour corridor. When recruitment is transparent, contracts protected, salaries guaranteed and safety non‑negotiable, all parties benefit — workers, businesses and nations alike," he added.